Monday, July 14, 2014

FC Kansas City Blown Out by Portland

From FC Kansas City

FC Kansas City (10-5-3 33pts) visited Portland Thorns FC (7-6-4 25 pts) tonight and lost 7-1 in front of 9,672 fans. This was the first unfortunate result for the Blues since May 14th. Katrina Gorry tallied her first National Women’s Soccer League goal for FC Kansas City tonight. Portland had five goal scorers: Veronica Boquete, Alex Morgan, Allie Long, Christine Sinclair and Amber Brooks.

Portland got on the board early with a goal from Boquete in the third minute on a play from Morgan. Kansas City tried to answer minutes later with a shot from Sarah Hagen, but it hit the post. The Thorns scored again in the 15th minute when Morgan shot one past Nicole Barnhart from Stephanie Catley.

The Blues got on the board when Gorry launched a shot from six yards out past Nadine Angerer. The lone goal came when Amy Rodrgiuez had the ball at the top of the box. She found a running Gorry on the outside. Gorry took it out and fired over Angerer’s hands in the 30th minute.

The Thorns had to defend some attacks from Kansas City until the 43rd minute when they scored for the third time. Long ran a play with Sinclair that resulted in another goal for the Rose City. That would be the last goal of the first half. Portland led 3-1 going in to the locker rooms.

FC Kansas City returned to the pitch fired up and ready to equalize the score. The Blues held the ball at the beginning of the second half and tried to make some magic. The whole Kansas City lineup tried to push forward including defenders Leigh Ann Robinson and Kassey Kallman.

The Blues held the Thorns at three goals until the 63rd minute when a ball bounced off of the referee and in to the possession of Portland. The play ended up at Long’s feet who then sent it past Barnhart to make it 4-1 with less than 30 minutes to play.

In the 74th minute, Amy LePeilbet was called for a foul on Tobin Heath. The home team was awarded a penalty kick. Boquete stepped up to take it and chose wisely as Barnhart went the other way.

A few minutes later, Morgan was stretchered off the field with what seemed to be an ankle injury. Jessica McDonald came in for the Portland while up 5-1. Sinclair scored her goal just after on a great pass from Boquete. The game moved to 6-1 with minutes left.

Portland would tally one more goal before the final whistle. Brooks took credit for the last goal of the night with the assist going to Meleana Shim in the 88th minute.